Let common sense and truth guide you in life.

Tag Archives: Patrick Henry

In the past, I have had problems regularly writing a blog post for my readers. It was due to lack of passion and motivation for any topic that entered my mind. Lately, it is too much passion and far too many words crowding my reeling mind.

Since the Oval Office Orange (changed from White House Orange because alliteration is cool) started his dubious dictatorship, my anger has been inspiring as it has been for millions of Americans. I am not the only one inspired by his questionable leadership.

Saturday Night Live has made an impressive come back from comedy that rarely inspires a chuckle to laughter that leaves a person gasping for air. The Orange’s administration has helped Trevor Noah fully integrate into The Dailey Show. While Jon Stewart retired from the show because – face it – politics was frustratingly depressing topic, he appears sporadically with Stephen Colbert to make us laugh. The passion of these comedians is felt in their jokes (especially Alec Baldwin), and they are fueled by the same anger that fuels me. Furthermore, comedy is their entertaining way of protesting.

Most other Americans have the ability to march, protest, and literally stand against the fascist pigs in the process of tearing our government down from the inside out.

In my last post, I stipulated some people were not able to get out and physically protest for various reasons (i.e., job, physical disability, children, etc.). They are people who want to help, but do not know another way other than walking the streets with a sign. I used my own experiences and readings to provide a handy list, which I would like to add a little something to that list now. Every little chance to resist helps the greater cause.

If it seems like I am writing about a war, I am. It maybe a metaphorical war, but it has all the makings of a vicious fight.

Writings from the 18th Century Enlightenment Era Founding Fathers exist to emboldened the reader as they are the very foundation of our country. It is important to hear their voices when we need them most and learn from them. I always thought and felt their patriotic passions and beliefs flow in the veins of all Americans whether they are natural born or naturalized. The words life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness echoes in our hearts because it is our right.

Apparently, that was most Americans.

There are some Americans (e.g., Matthew McConaughey) who do not seem to feel that calling, who are not angered by the actions of our government. Those particular Americans are not happy about it, and they only seem to care about anything that pertains only to their existence.

At least the Oval Office Orange’s base, The Tea Baggers Partiers, are patriotically passionate albeit woefully misguided and embarrassingly undereducated. I can find a sliver of admiration for that despite their crazed white supremacist attitude.

What I cannot stand are the clueless Americans who – in my livid and most valid opinion – stand aside and simply do not care to understand because of their indifference. Either that or they think that skimming the surface of American life is fine.

Apathetic Americans are the people who compare the Muslim Ban to locking the doors of a house at night. Not to keep people out, but to keep your loved ones safe (per some deranged meme going around Facebook). They never bother to look at the exact details or realize that “Muslim” is a religion and not a country, which makes the ban obviously unconstitutional (1st Amendment). Apathetic Americans must also think that the Ban will solve our terror problem most of which stem from American terrorists. Furthermore, they do not read enough news to realize that Muslim Americans are not the only ones who are targeted by this administration.

Illegal immigrants from Mexico who have lived here for a few decades are targeted. Then there is the issue of an environmentally dangerous wall proposal that will cost billions and be paid for by the tax payers – not Mexico. The Mexican President pretty much told the Oval Office Orange to f**k off (in the most diplomatic way possible).

Apathetic Americans breezily wonder why their fellow Americans – in their opinion – needlessly leave their homes almost every weekend to protest these horrifying changes the administration’s attempting to enact. They ask why people do not work with the Oval Office Orange rather than fight against him (see the link attached to Matthew McConaughey above). Apathetic Americans do not want to understand that working with him is equal to allowing a near treasonous administration the right to create an American style Nazi Regime.

They tell us, sir, that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which … nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. There is a just God who presides over the battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave…

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace, but there is not peace… Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to slavery? …I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

First, note that this was written in the 18th Century Enlightenment Era. It was a different world not only for the obvious lack of electronics, but for the blatantly unchecked patriarchal mentality and racism. Most of the written works of the Founding Fathers (and the Constitution) are white dude centric since the Founding Fathers were – ironically – rich white dudes. They were amazing Enlightenment visionaries when it came to building a government, yet unsurprisingly short-sighted in other areas (product of the times). While the Founding Fathers were painfully aware they were all from mostly European immigrant and outcasts, people of color were not considered as a factor and slaves were PROPERTY. Besides, the landed gentry considered themselves British citizens until Benjamin Franklin was laughed out of Parliament. Then it became painfully clear that New Englanders (us) would never be afforded the rights of citizens from the Mother Country.

Second, the most published and read book at the time was likely the Bible. I would not be surprised if 18th Century children learned to read from it. The Founding Fathers were very much for the separation of church and state, but still have reference to God in their writings.

Third, America was gearing towards a battle with the British (for those of you who attended a school where Social Studies was considered “expendable”). In the 21st Century, we call the epic underdog story the American Revolution. At the time they referred to it as a Civil War between England and New England (us).

As we have grown as a country, our Constitution (a living document) has grown to be inclusive of all sexes and races. I would like to think our Enlightenment Era Founding Fathers would be straight forward thinkers – despite being rich white dudes – if they were alive today, and I will interpret their writings as such: inclusive.

They tell us, sir, that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.

In this section of Patrick Henry’s speech, he says the people are not as weak as, likely, some of the world – including the British – believed they were. Today, this nation is still not weak. The Oval Office Orange and his Legion of Doom (i.e., Cabinet Members) believe most Americans are weak because they equate power with wealth. The more money in the Cayman Islands account (the one they all have to avoid taxes), the more political power. Additionally, the Galactic Empire (i.e., Republicans) that currently controls the House of Representatives and Senate are using the Orange’s antics to ram through governmentally corrosive and populace-hurting legislation thinking no one will notice. (I am channeling comic books and Star Wars as an analogy. Sue me).

Henry goes on to tell people to not be fearful or apathetic. Sitting down and watching events unfold will not make anything better, having their fellow country people march and cry out in their stead while they shrug it off makes the Apathetic American, in my livid opinion, an awful person. I would go so far as to call Apathetic Americans, Un-American. Unfortunately, it is their constitutional right to be a jerk. While I disagree with their idiotic mentality, like I said – our Constitution gives them that right and I must defend it as I denounce their idiocy.

Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

He likens inaction to submitting to slavery, which still holds true since the Orange and the Galactic Empire are interested in Right to Work legislation. This law is known as the Union Killer, or Right to Work for Less. Unions are responsible for the wages we currently earn, decent working conditions, and weekends. Without unions to arbitrate, employers could lower wages and demand their employees work weekends. Why do you think fast food workers want to unionize? Because, among other things, they want to put in a 40+ hour work week and not rely on food stamps and Housing and Urban Development assistance. Either way, without the protection of Unions, we would be very close to slaves. It also does not help that the Orange’s Secretary of Labor pick CKE CEO, Pudzer, is known by his employees for wage theft and sexual harassment. He also has law suites pending from those hard working employees.

As Henry so passionately states, we are not weak. Already, the Galactic Empire has temporarily backed away from repealing the Affordable Care Act (famously known as “Obamacare”) because of the public backlash. Although, that backlash is continuing since the Galactic Empire still vows to “repeal and replace,” which every replacement idea sounds exactly like the system we had before the Affordable Care Act. They insist that Americans should have access to healthcare. As the lovely Sen. Bernie Sanders (I – VT) stated, every American has access to healthcare we cannot afford. What we need is affordable healthcare. Fortunately, most Americans are not accepting the Galactic Empire’s dog and pony show anymore.

The Republican Congressmen have full voicemails from angered constituents. They are canceling or running away from Town Hall meetings because they cannot face those angry constituents. Even though, Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R – UT) is convinced the angry town hall attendees are not his constituents, but pretenders who were paid to bully him.

For a short time in December, the Native Americans convinced the government to stop building the environmentally dangerous Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). Then Orange took office and ordered the immediate easement for the pipeline violating more laws. These are admittedly small victories, but they are still victories which can lead to bigger victories. The American people will have a long hard road to get those big victories, and some of us may feel a little fatigued yet we will keep fighting.

The American Revolution was fought with muskets and cannons. Our war is fought with protests and social media. We are using the Judicial system as our front line, and we are pouring money into the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – who are recently getting impressive donations – for that purpose. This is the beginning of our fifth week of fighting, and we will not back down till we win.

It is clear the Orange and the Galactic Empire would like us to lay down so they can peacefully trample us and enslave us. Yet, we refuse to make anything easy. Some of the American people may remain apathetic. I choose to fight with the weapons of sharp words and vicious rhetoric.

I will not abide a president who is worse than a child, one who is obviously illiterate and lead by an undereducated white supremacist who walks around with a never-read pocket Constitution. Even if he tried to read it, he would not understand it.

It is repugnant for billionaires, Congressional Republicans, and spineless corporate Democrats to expect the American people to stand aside as they ruin our air, drinking water, and the ground beneath our feet. All for the corporate bottom line and appeasement to their so-called friends.

Last, the efforts of the Galactic Empire in attempting to force women into, or maintain, a subservient role is beyond disgusting. The “men know best” attitude is harmful to the women of our nation. They refuse to realize that while women’s bodies have a few things in common with theirs, there are still vast differences. They specifically shut down women for having an opinion like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on the Senate floor when she attempted to read Coretta Scott King’s letter in opposition to Sen. Jeff Session’s U.S. Attorney General nomination. Meanwhile, two other white male Senators who read the letter were allowed to do so without reprecussions.

This is why it is more important for women to lead the charge, especially women of different races and ages and transgender women. We should be seen as equal and not be defined by our sexuality and race for we are all Americans.